Haas was instrumental in Brisbane’s thunderous comeback win over the Titans,in which they ran down a 24-4 lead to win 35-24. But his appearance sparked a crescendo of disdain from the crowd who clearly weren’t impressed with his plea for more money.
Young Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo added to his try-scoring spree and performed an outstanding Indigenous Round celebration.
“It’s been tough. I’m not usually one to get rattled but when the boos came out I had to compose myself and stay in the game and do my job for the team,” Haas told Nine after the match.
Brisbane have refused to grant Haas a release and head coach Walters doesn’t believe it will come to that. He said the distraction may have had an impact on their poor first half but seeing Haas thrive in the second had convinced him he would give his all if he was still wearing the jersey.
Walters says Broncos management will meet with Haas and his representatives in the coming weeks to see if an agreement can be worked out and to ensure Haas isn’t thrown onto the open market to be poached by a rival club.
“Players are resilient these days and they understand it is a business. I was just making sure we stuck together and all of these distractions didn’t have an impact on the field. First half,it may have. Second half,away they went,” Walters said.
“I’ve just tried to get around and support Payne and he’s been a wonderful player for us. He’s the best prop in the game,so we don’t want to lose the best prop in the game. We are happy to sit down with him and his management team and sort something out.
“We’re not going to release him. He’s been a big part of our club now and I believe will be into the future.”
The issue with Haas clouded the night but the Broncos were able to produce an inspiring comeback to beat the Gold Coast and notch their sixth-consecutive victory. The Titans were bereft after the match,with captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui nearly in tears afterwards as he took much of the blame for the defeat.
He said he was behind a short kick-off that ended in a Broncos try in the second half,their second in as many minutes. But the fact he shouldered the blame only spoke volumes about his character;Fa’asuamaleaui was the Gold Coast’s best by a country mile as he emptied the tank in a losing outfit.
But amid a chaotic series of mind-boggling decisions,including the short kick-off and a double sin-binning,the Titans folded up like beach chairs at Burleigh. It was an ugly defeat against a Brisbane side missing halfback and captain Adam Reynolds.
Kurt Capewell celebrates after scoring the go-ahead try for the Broncos.Getty
The Titans weren’t short of strong contributors in the first half. Jayden Campbell,AJ Brimson and even David Fifita,much-maligned this season,had major impacts. The defence was desperate and effective as the Broncos failed to make any sort of dent in the line.
But the implosion can be traced back to Sam McIntyre’s sin binning for holding down Selwyn Cobbo in the 32nd minute,before Esan Marsters earned himself a spell for the same thing a minute later. Amazingly,the Titans scored through Fifita when they were undermanned but with halfback Toby Sexton (shoulder) also injured in period,the wheels were beginning to wobble.
Walters demanded more energy from the Broncos in the second half and the Titans are notoriously vulnerable. Once the tries started,they never seemed to stop,with Te Maire Martin scoring his first try in Broncos colours and the rest of his team lining up for their chance to cross.
The Gold Coast still had control of the scoreboard after that try,but a short kick-off was scooped up by Corey Paix,who found Jordan Riki,who raced away to score Brisbane’s second try in as many minutes. The Titans were shot ducks.
Titans coach Justin Holbrook had been touted as the man to lead the Gold Coast into regular forays to the finals,but his side has no poise and identity. Their decision-making was gone as soon as Sexton left the field. That improved upon his return but by them,the game was gone.
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